JP2010061306A - Information processing apparatus, content management server, information processing method, connection management method, and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically request a content managements server to handle an error, when the error occurs between the content management server for managing and providing content and a renderer apparatus for reproducing the content. <P>SOLUTION: If an error occurs while content data is exchanged between the content management server and the renderer apparatus, an information processing apparatus communicatable with the renderer apparatus may not identify a cause of the error from error information received from the renderer apparatus. Consequently, the information processing apparatus is provided with an error remedy request unit which requests the content management server to remedy an error caused between it and the renderer apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a content management server, an information processing method, a connection management method, and an information processing system.

  With the recent spread of data communication networks, so-called home networks that enable communication between devices by directly connecting home appliances, computers, and other peripheral devices or connecting them to the network at home. Is penetrating. In a home network, communication between network-connected devices provides users with convenience and comfort, such as sharing the data processing function of each device and sending and receiving content between devices. In the future, more and more popular is expected.

  For example, in the system described in Patent Document 1 shown below, after a content is shared between a server and a client device, the client device acquires the content from the server and plays it.

JP 2007-158854 A

  Here, the system as shown in the above Patent Document 1 (1) manages the content, and the content can be reproduced on the other device by transferring the content to the other device via the network. (2) Renderer device that receives content transferred from the content management server via the network and reproduces the content, and (3) notifies the renderer device which content of the content management server is to be reproduced Consider a case in which the apparatus is composed of three types of devices, ie, a controller that performs content reproduction control in the renderer device.

  In such a situation, consider a case where an error occurs between the content management server and the renderer apparatus, and an error notification is transmitted from the renderer apparatus to the controller. At this time, the user of such a system must specify the installation location of the device that has notified the error, and must go to the installation location of the device in order to implement the error improvement processing for the corresponding device. is there. Therefore, there has been a problem that an excessive burden may be generated on the user in order to improve the cause of the error.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such problems, and its purpose is when an error occurs between a content management server that manages and provides content and a renderer that performs content playback. A new and improved information processing apparatus, content management server, information processing method, connection management method, and information processing system capable of automatically requesting the content management server to cope with an error There is.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to an aspect of the present invention, server identification information for identifying a content management server from content data corresponding to the content and a content management server that manages attribute information of the content data. And server information acquisition unit for acquiring server information including a list of the content data, and renderer identification information for identifying the renderer device from the renderer device for acquiring and reproducing the content data from the content management server. The renderer information acquisition unit that acquires the included renderer information, the renderer device that reproduces the content data selected from the list of content data is specified, and the content selected for the specified renderer device Data retrieval and An error occurs when the specified renderer device obtains the selected content data from the content management server, and between the content management server and the specified renderer device. When the error information describing the details of the error that occurred in the above is notified from the specified renderer device, the content management server is improved with respect to the error generated with the specified renderer device. An information processing apparatus is provided that includes an error improvement requesting unit that requests the information.

  According to this configuration, the server information acquisition unit includes a list of server identification information and content data for identifying the content management server from the content management server that manages the content data corresponding to the content and the attribute information of the content data. The renderer information acquisition unit acquires renderer information including renderer identification information for identifying the renderer device from the renderer device that acquires and reproduces content data from the content management server, and renderer The control unit specifies a renderer device that reproduces the content data selected from the list of content data, and requests the specified renderer device to acquire and reproduce the selected content data. Further, the error improvement request unit generates an error when the specified renderer apparatus acquires the selected content data from the content management server, and details of the error generated between the content management server and the specified renderer apparatus Is notified from the specified renderer device, the content management server is requested to improve the error that has occurred with the specified renderer device.

  A storage unit storing error cause / countermeasure information in which a detailed description of an error that may occur between the content management server and the renderer device and a countermeasure for the error are recorded; The improvement request unit refers to the error cause / countermeasure information, specifies the detailed contents of the error notification described in the error information, and requests the content management server to improve the error. May be.

  The information processing apparatus has an error when the specified renderer apparatus acquires the selected content data from the content management server, and is defined by a protocol used for communication with the renderer apparatus from the renderer apparatus. An error inquiry unit that inquires of the content management server about the cause of the error that has occurred with the specified renderer device when the error code is notified may be further provided.

  When the error management unit is notified of error information describing a detailed cause of an error that has occurred between the content management server and the specified renderer device, the content inquiry server Refer to the error cause / countermeasure information in which a detailed description of an error that may occur between the management server and the renderer device and a countermeasure for the error are described. The detailed contents of the error notification may be specified, and the content management server may be requested to improve the error improvement.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, management is performed for an information processing apparatus connected to the outside and a renderer apparatus specified as a content reproduction apparatus by the information processing apparatus. When an error relating to connection occurs between the content information providing unit that provides content information including at least one of content attribute information related to content and content data corresponding to the content, and the renderer device, the information An error improvement processing unit that receives an improvement request for the error that has occurred with the renderer device, transmitted from a processing device, and that performs an improvement process for the error that has occurred with the renderer device A management server is provided.

  A storage unit storing error cause / countermeasure information in which a detailed description of an error that may occur between the content management server and the renderer device and a countermeasure for the error are recorded; The improvement processing unit may refer to the error cause / countermeasure information, identify a countermeasure for the error described in the error improvement request, and perform error improvement processing.

  When receiving an inquiry request transmitted from the information processing apparatus to inquire about details of the error that has occurred with the renderer apparatus, the details of the error that has occurred with the renderer apparatus are analyzed and analyzed. You may further provide the error analysis part which notifies a result to the said information processing apparatus.

  In the inquiry request, information on the MAC address assigned to the renderer apparatus in which the error has occurred is described, and the error analysis unit is based on the information on the MAC address between the renderer apparatus. The details of the error that has occurred may be analyzed.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to still another aspect of the present invention, a server for identifying a content management server from a content management server that manages content data corresponding to the content and attribute information of the content data A server information acquisition step of acquiring server information including identification information and a list of the content data, and a renderer identification for identifying the renderer device from the renderer device that acquires and reproduces the content data from the content management server Renderer information acquisition step for acquiring renderer information including information, and specifying the renderer device that reproduces the content data selected from the list of content data, and selected for the specified renderer device The content device A renderer control step for requesting acquisition and reproduction of data, and an error occurs when the specified renderer device acquires the selected content data from the content management server, and the content management server and the specified renderer When error information describing details of an error that has occurred with the device is notified from the specified renderer device, the content management server has occurred with the specified renderer device. An information processing method including an error improvement requesting step for requesting to improve an error is provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to still another aspect of the present invention, content providing content information including at least attribute information of content related to a managed content to an information processing apparatus connected to the outside An information providing step, a content information providing step of providing content information including at least content data corresponding to a managed content to a renderer device identified as a content playback device by the information processing device; and the renderer When an error related to the connection with the device occurs, the request for improving the error generated with the renderer device transmitted from the information processing device is received and generated with the renderer device. Connection management including error improvement processing steps for performing error improvement processing The law is provided.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to still another aspect of the present invention, a server for identifying a content management server from a content management server that manages content data corresponding to the content and attribute information of the content data Renderer identification for identifying the renderer device from a server information acquisition unit that acquires server information including identification information and a list of the content data, and a renderer device that acquires and reproduces the content data from the content management server A renderer information acquisition unit that acquires renderer information including information, and the renderer device that reproduces the content data selected from the list of content data are specified, and the selected renderer device is selected. Obtaining the content data An error occurs when the specified renderer device obtains the selected content data from the content management server, and the content management server and the specified renderer device When the specified renderer device is notified of error information describing details of errors that occurred between the two, the content management server is improved with respect to the error generated with the specified renderer device. An information processing apparatus comprising: an error improvement requesting unit that requests to perform at least the attribute information of the content related to the managed content or the content data corresponding to the content to the information processing apparatus and the renderer apparatus Content that provides content information including either When an error related to the connection between the information providing unit and the renderer device is received, the error improvement request generated between the renderer device and transmitted from the information processing device is received, An error improvement processing unit that performs an improvement process for an error that has occurred between the renderer device and the content data corresponding to the content specified by the information processing device from the content management server A renderer for acquiring and playing back and transmitting error information describing details of the error to the information processing apparatus when an error occurs with the content management server when acquiring the content data And an information processing system including the apparatus.

  According to the present invention, when an error occurs between a content management server that manages and provides content and a renderer that performs content playback, the content management server is automatically responded to the error. It is possible to request.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

The description will be made in the following order.
(1) Description of content sharing system (2) First embodiment (2-1) Information processing system (2-2) Configuration of information processing device (2-3) Configuration of content management server (2- 4) Configuration of renderer device (2-5) Information processing method and connection management method (3) Hardware configuration of information processing device according to each embodiment of the present invention (4) Summary

(Description on content sharing system)
First, prior to describing the information processing system and the information processing apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention, technical matters that form the basis for realizing the information processing system according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. . In addition, each embodiment of this invention is comprised so that a more remarkable effect can be acquired by adding improvement on the fundamental technique described below. Therefore, the technology related to the improvement is the only part that characterizes this embodiment. In other words, the present embodiment follows the basic concept of the technical matters described here, but the essence is rather concentrated in the improved portion, the configuration is clearly different, and the effect is in line with the basic technology. Please note that

  Hereinafter, a content sharing method and a reproduction method on a home network that are currently proposed as a basic technology will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 13 to 17. 13 to 17 are explanatory diagrams for explaining a content sharing method and a playback method on the home network.

  Currently, there is a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) as a standard for constructing a home network using an AV device, a personal computer, a mobile device, or the like.

  According to the DLNA guidelines, content such as photos, music, and videos is stored in a device called a digital media server (DMS) 1001 and has a folder hierarchy called a content directory service (CDS). Manage content list by structure. Each content in the CDS is provided with an ID value for uniquely identifying, metadata that is detailed content information, and a URL that indicates the acquisition destination of the content data. The CDS is disclosed to other devices on the home network 1003, and a client device that plays back content follows the CDS on the DMS, selects content, acquires content data indicated by the URL from the digital media server 1001, Perform playback. Here, HTTP is used as a protocol used for communication between the DMS 1001 and the client device (for example, mutual communication such as list acquisition and content data acquisition).

  In addition, the DLNA guidelines define a device 1005 called a digital media renderer (DMR) that does not actively follow the content list itself but only plays back the content specified by other devices. When the URL of the content to be played back is notified, the DMR 1005 acquires the previous content data indicated by the URL using HTTP, and plays it. A device that performs operations such as content specification, playback, stop, and seek for the DMR 1005 is referred to as a controller (Digital Media Controller: DMC) 1007. The DMC 1007 generally has a function of selecting content by following the CDS on the DMS 1001. The communication model for content sharing / playback composed of DMS, DMC, and DMR as shown in FIG. 13 is called a 3-Box model.

  Note that the above-described devices such as DMS, DMC, and DMR are conceptual devices that are classified based on their functions, and therefore do not have to correspond one-to-one with physical hardware. In addition, since communication between devices is performed based on a protocol based on IPv4 (for example, TCP / UDP, HTTP / SOAP, etc.), hardware that implements each device is an Internet protocol (Internet Protocol). : IP) is assumed to have a communication function (typically Ethernet, wireless LAN, etc.).

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17, the operation of each device in a system including one DMS and DMC and two DMRs will be briefly described.

  First, the DMC 1007 detects the DMS 1001 connected to the network 1003 (step S1). The DMC 1007 broadcasts a server discovery protocol on the network 1003 via a communication control unit (not shown). As such a server discovery protocol, DLNA uses SSDP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol).

  The DMS 1001 acquires the server discovery protocol that has flowed on the network 1003, creates a response packet including server identification information, and sends it back to the DMC 1007 via a communication control unit (not shown) (step S2). .

  Next, the communication control unit (not shown) of the DMC 1007 acquires a response to the server discovery request from the DMS 1001, and stores the server identification information of the DMS 1001 included in the response in the storage unit (not shown). At the same time, a server list that is a list related to the DMS 1001 that has responded is created (step S3).

  The DMC 1007 detects the DMR 1005 connected to the network 1003 (step S4). The DMC 1007 broadcasts a renderer device discovery protocol on the network 1003 via a communication control unit (not shown).

  A communication control unit (not shown) of each DMR 1005 acquires a renderer device discovery protocol that has flowed on the network 1003, creates a response packet including renderer identification information, and a communication control unit (not shown). ) To the DMC 1007 (steps S5 and S6).

  The DMC 1007 acquires a response to the renderer device discovery protocol from each DMR 1005, records renderer identification information of each DMR 1005 included in the response in a storage unit (not shown), and relates to the DMR 1005 that has responded. A renderer list as a list is created (step S7).

  Through the above steps S1 to S7, the DMC 1007 is in a state of knowing the existence of the DMS 1001 and the DMR 1005 connected via the network 1003. Steps S1 to S7 are processes that are automatically executed when the DMC 1007 is powered on, for example.

  At a certain timing, the user of the DMC 1007 operates the operation unit (not shown) to instruct display of a list of video contents on the DMS 1001 (step S8). Then, the DMC 1007 transmits a request for acquiring a list of video folders on the DMS 1001 to the DMS 1001 based on the signal transmitted from the operation unit (not shown) (step S9). As a request for acquiring this folder list, DLNA uses SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) and tries to acquire attribute information of video content by using a command “CDS: Browse” in particular.

  A communication control unit (not shown) of the DMS 1001 acquires a request for acquiring a video folder list transmitted from the DMC 1007. In the DMS 1001, there are a large number of video contents, and the video contents are classified and stored in folders. The DMS 1001 acquires the folder information of the video content managed by the DMS 1001 from the video attribute information related to the video content, and returns it to the DMC 1007 (step S10).

  The DMC 1007 receives the video folder list acquisition response transmitted from the DMS 1001, creates a name of the video folder and the like as a video folder list (step S11), and displays it on a display unit (not shown). The user of the DMC 1007 selects a video folder to be viewed by operating an operation unit (not shown) while viewing the displayed video folder list. If there is another folder under the selected video folder, the DMC 1007 repeats steps S9 to S11.

  Next, the DMC 1007 generates a request for acquiring a list of video contents on the DMS 1001 based on a predetermined signal generated by the operation unit (not shown), and transmits the request to the DMS 1001 (step S12).

  When the DMS 1001 receives the request for acquiring the video content list transmitted from the DMC 1007, the DMS 1001 acquires the attribute information of the video content managed by the DMS 1001 from the video attribute information and returns it to the DMC 1007 (step S13).

  The DMC 1007 receives the video content list acquisition response transmitted from the DMS 1001, creates a title of the video content as a video content list (step S14), and displays it on a display unit (not shown). The user of the DMC 1007 selects a video content to be viewed by operating an operation unit (not shown) while viewing the displayed video content list. If there is a large amount of content and information on all the content cannot be acquired at once, the DMC 1007 repeats steps S12 to S14.

  Thereafter, the user of the DMC 1007 operates an operation unit (not shown) to select video content to be reproduced (step S15).

  Through the above steps S8 to S15, the user of the DMC 1007 can determine the video content to be reproduced.

  Next, the DMC 1007 displays the manufacturer name, device model name, identification information, etc. of the DMR 1005 recorded in the renderer identification information on a display unit (not shown) (step S16), and plays back the selected video content. The user selects the DMR 1005 (that is, the playback destination DMR 1005) (step S17). Here, in step S17, the user operates an operation unit (not shown) of the DMC 1007 to select one of the two DMRs 1005. In the following description, it is assumed that DMR-A is selected.

  Subsequently, the DMC 1007 acquires video attribute information corresponding to the video content that has been determined to be played back, and sets it as playback content attribute information. At this time, the DMC 1007 adds the identification information of the server that manages the video content that has been determined to be reproduced to the reproduction content attribute information. Further, the DMC 1007 notifies the generated reproduction content attribute information to the DMR-A (step S18). This reproduction content attribute information is performed using a command “AVT: SetAVTransportURI” in DLNA. The information notified to the DMR-A includes, for example, attribute information such as identification information of a server that manages the playback video content, title, content size, content length, and URL for accessing the content.

  The DMR-A receives the video content attribute information transmitted from the DMC 1007, and stores the video content attribute information including the server identification information and the server identification information in a storage unit (not shown). At the same time (step S19), the DMC 1007 is notified that the attribute information has been received.

  The DMC 1007 requests the DMR-A to start playback of the selected video content (step S20). This reproduction request is made by using a command “AVT: Play” in DLNA.

  When the DMR-A receives the video content playback request transmitted from the DMC 1007, the DMR-A refers to the video attribute information, acquires the content access URL, accesses the acquired URL, and transmits the content data acquisition request. (Step S21).

  When receiving the content data acquisition request transmitted from the DMR-A, the DMS 1001 refers to the video attribute information and returns the content data corresponding to the URL to the DMR-A (step S22).

  When the DMR-A receives the content data transmitted from the DMS 1001, the DMR-A transmits the received content data to a content reproduction unit (not shown). The content reproduction unit (not shown) decodes the acquired content data and displays it on the display unit (not shown) (step S23).

  As described above, steps S16 to S23 are processing for displaying the video content decided to be reproduced on the DMR 1005.

  Here, it is assumed that during video playback, the user turns off the power of the DMC 1007 (step S24), and data such as video attribute information, server identification information, renderer identification information, and playback content attribute information is lost.

  In such a situation, consider a case where the user of the DMC 1007 turns on the power of the DMC 1007 again (step S25).

  At this time, the DMC 1007 repeats the same processing as in steps S1 to S7, detects DMS and DMR (step S26), and re-acquires server identification information and renderer identification information.

  Next, it is assumed that the user operates the DMC 1007 to instruct to display the attribute information of the video content being played back by the DMR-A. Then, the DMC 1007 transmits an acquisition request for attribute information of the video content being played back to the DMR-A (step S27). The attribute information acquisition request for the content being played back is made with a command “AVT: GetMediaInfo” in DLNA.

  When the DMR-A receives the attribute information acquisition request for the video content being played transmitted from the DMC 1007, the DMR-A returns the attribute information of the video content being played back to the DMC 1007 (step S29).

  When the DMC 1007 receives the attribute information of the video content being played back returned from the DMR-A, the DMC 1007 records the received information as attribute information of the content being played back and displays it on a display unit (not shown) ( Step S30).

  In response to the user's operation of the DMC 1007, the DMC 1007 performs the same processing as Step S9 to Step S15, and sequentially acquires the video content information of the DMS 1001 (Step S31). The user of the DMC 1007 designates the content to be viewed next from the contents displayed in a list.

  Next, as in step S16, the DMC 1007 displays a list of DMRs 1005 that can be selected as playback destinations on a display unit (not shown) (step S32), and selects the playback destination DMR 1005 to the user. get. As a result, the user operates an operation unit (not shown) of the DMC 1007 to select either DMR-A or DMR-B (step S33). In the following description, it is assumed that DMR-B is selected by the user.

  Subsequently, the DMC 1007 acquires video attribute information corresponding to the video content that has been determined to be played back, and sets it as playback content attribute information. At this time, the DMC 1007 adds the identification information of the server that manages the video content that has been determined to be reproduced to the reproduction content attribute information. Also, the DMC 1007 notifies the generated reproduction content attribute information to the DMR-B (step S34). This reproduction content attribute information is performed using a command “AVT: SetAVTransportURI” in DLNA. The information notified to the DMR-B includes, for example, attribute information such as identification information of a server that manages the playback video content, title, content size, content length, and URL for accessing the content.

  The DMR-B receives the video content attribute information transmitted from the DMC 1007, and stores the video content attribute information including the server identification information and the server identification information in a storage unit (not shown). At the same time (step S35), the DMC 1007 is notified that the attribute information has been received.

  The DMC 1007 requests the DMR-B to start playing the selected video content (step S36). This reproduction request is made by using a command “AVT: Play” in DLNA.

  Upon receiving the video content reproduction request transmitted from the DMC 1007, the DMR-B refers to the video attribute information, acquires the content access URL, accesses the acquired URL, and transmits the content data acquisition request. (Step S37).

  When receiving the content data acquisition request transmitted from DMR-B, DMS 1001 refers to the video attribute information and returns the content data corresponding to the URL to DMR-B (step S38).

  When the DMR-B receives the content data transmitted from the DMS 1001, the DMR-B transmits the received content data to a content reproduction unit (not shown). The content reproduction unit (not shown) decodes the acquired content data and displays it on the display unit (not shown) (step S39).

  By performing such processing, devices existing on the home network can perform content sharing and content reproduction control.

  Next, consider a case where the DMC receives an error in response to a playback request in the currently proposed content sharing and playback methods. FIG. 17 is a flowchart when the DMS 1001 returns an error in response to the DMR-B request.

As is clear from FIG. 17, the difference from FIG. 16 is after step S40.
In step S40 in FIG. 17, the DMS 1001 makes a rejection response to the video content acquisition request transmitted from the DMR-B. In DLNA, such exchange is performed using HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol). The DMR-B that has received the error in response to the reproduction request notifies the DMC 1007 of the error (step S41). In DLNA, this error notification is performed using SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol).

  Thus, the protocol used differs between DMS1001-DMR1005 and between DMR1005-DMC1007. Here, numbers corresponding to errors in HTTP and SOAP do not have a one-to-one correspondence. Therefore, when the DMC 1007 receives an error notification from the DMR-B (step S42), depending on the content of the problem, the error information transmitted from the DMS 1001 to the DMR-B in step S40 may not be correctly transmitted to the DMC 1007. is there.

  Finally, the DMC 1007 displays the cause of the error on the screen based on the received error information (step S43). At present, it is necessary for the user to grasp the cause based on the displayed error cause and to respond to the notified error.

  In this case, the user needs to go to the DMS installation location in order to identify the installation location of the DMS that has notified the DMR of the error, and to perform processing for error correction on the corresponding DMS. is there. Therefore, depending on the cause of the displayed error, there is a problem that an excessive burden may be generated on the user.

  As a result of intensive studies on such problems, the present inventor has come up with an information processing system and an information processing apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention as described below.

(First embodiment)
<About information processing system>
First, an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the information processing system according to the present embodiment.

  The information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a communication network 3, an information processing device 10, a content management server 20, and renderer devices 30A and 30B, for example, as shown in FIG.

  The communication network 3 is a communication line network that connects the information processing apparatus 10, the content management server 20, and the renderer apparatus 30 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication or one-way communication. This communication network includes, for example, the public network such as the Internet, NGN (Next Generation Network), telephone line network, satellite communication network, broadcast communication path, WAN (Wide Area Network), LAN (Local Area Network), It is composed of an IP-VPN (Internet Protocol-Virtual Private Network), Ethernet (registered trademark), a dedicated line network such as a wireless LAN, etc., regardless of wired / wireless.

  The information processing apparatus 10 can acquire a content list such as video content, music content, and photo content from the content management server 20 described later, and cause the renderer device 30 described later to reproduce the content selected from the content list. It is a possible device. The information processing apparatus 10 may be a computer apparatus such as a personal computer or a server, such as a television receiver, a DVD / HDD recorder, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a home game machine, a digital It may be an information home appliance having a communication function via a network such as a video camera. Further, the information processing apparatus 10 may be a portable device (Portable Device) that can be carried by a contractor, for example, a portable game machine, a PHS, a portable video / audio player, or the like.

  The information processing apparatus 10 has a function of a digital media controller (Digital Media Controller) that complies with DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) guidelines. The information processing apparatus 10 may further have the functions of a digital media server (Digital Media Server: DMS) and a digital media player (Digital Media Player: DMP).

  The content management server 20 manages content such as video content, music content, and photo content in association with location information and metadata of the content. The content management server 20 also manages the content managed by the content management server 20 and the metadata of the content in response to a request from the information processing apparatus 10 or the renderer apparatus 30 connected via the communication network 3. provide. The content management server 20 may be a computer device such as a personal computer or a server, such as a television receiver, a DVD / HDD recorder, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a consumer game machine, a digital It may be an information home appliance having a communication function via a network such as a video camera. Further, the content management server 20 may be a portable device (Portable Device) that can be carried by a contractor, for example, a portable game machine, a PHS, a portable video / audio player, or the like. The content management server 20 has the function of a digital media server (Digital Media Server: DMS) that complies with the DLNA guidelines.

  The renderer devices 30A and 30B (hereinafter also referred to as “renderer device 30”) are devices that acquire content data corresponding to the content designated from the information processing device 10 from the content management server 20 and reproduce it. The renderer device 30 may be a computer device such as a personal computer or a server. A network such as a television receiver, a DVD / HDD recorder, a mobile phone, a PDA, a digital camera, a home game machine, or a digital video camera may be used. It may be an information home appliance having a communication function. In addition, the renderer device 30 may be a portable device that can be carried by a contractor, such as a portable game machine, PHS, or portable video / audio player. The renderer device 30 has a function of a digital media renderer (DMR) that complies with the DLNA guidelines.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, only one information processing apparatus 10 and one content management server 20 are connected to the communication network 3, but a plurality of information processing apparatuses 10 and content management servers are connected to the communication network 3. 20 may be connected. Similarly, in the example shown in FIG. 1, two renderer devices 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B are connected, but one or three or more renderer devices 30 may be connected to the communication network 3.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing device 10, the content management server 20, and the renderer device 30 are connected to each other via the communication network 3. However, the information processing device 10, the content management server 20, and the renderer device are connected to each other. 30 may be directly connected to each other without using the communication network 3.

  The information processing apparatus 10, the content management server 20, and the renderer apparatus 30 will be described again in detail below.

<Configuration of information processing device>
Next, the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a communication control unit 101, an operation unit 103, a server information acquisition unit 105, a renderer information acquisition unit 107, and a renderer control unit 109. The display control unit 111, the error improvement request unit 113, the error cause inquiry unit 115, and the storage unit 117 are mainly provided.

  The communication control unit 101 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a communication device, and the like. The communication control unit 101 performs communication control of various data transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus 10 and the content management server 20 and between the information processing apparatus 10 and the renderer apparatus 30.

  More specifically, the communication control unit 101 receives requests from the processing units included in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, and transmits various data and signals to the content management server 20 and the renderer apparatus 30. . Further, the communication control unit 101 receives various data and signals transmitted from the content management server 20 and the renderer device 30, and transmits them to each processing unit provided in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  Further, the communication control unit 101 can use a storage unit 117 described later as a transmission / reception buffer.

  The operation unit 103 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input device, and the like, and is made for various input switches such as a content selection switch, a playback switch, and a stop switch provided in the information processing apparatus 10. The operation is converted into a predetermined signal and transmitted to the corresponding processing unit. The operations performed on the input switch as described above are, for example, operations for acquiring content attribute information from the content management server 20, and operations for causing the specific renderer device 30 to play / stop specific content. And so on.

  The server information acquisition unit 105 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and acquires server information related to the content management server from the content management server 20 connected via the communication network 3.

  More specifically, the server information acquisition unit 105 broadcasts a server discovery protocol on the communication network 3 using a protocol such as SSDP, and acquires server identification information from the content management server 20 that has responded. The server identification information includes, for example, an identification such as an IP address given to the content management server 20, a manufacturer name / device model name of the content management server 20, and a UUID (Universally Unique IDentifier) given to the content management server 20. Contains information.

  In addition, the server information acquisition unit 105 transmits a request for acquiring a list of content folders managed by the content management server 20 to the content management server 20 using a protocol such as SOAP, which is managed by the server. Get a list of content folders. Further, the server information acquisition unit 105 transmits a request for acquiring a list of contents managed by the content management server 20 to the content management server 20, and acquires a list of contents managed by the server. Such information about the content folder and information about the content itself include attribute information and location information of the folder and content.

  The server information including the server identification information acquired by the server information acquisition unit 105 and the attribute information related to the content managed by the server is, for example, the time when the server information is acquired in the server information recording area of the storage unit 117 described later. It is recorded in association with information on This server information can be freely referred to by each processing unit included in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The server information acquisition unit 105 also has a server list that is a list of servers to which the information processing apparatus 10 can be connected based on the acquired server identification information and attribute information about the contents, and contents that can be connected to the information processing apparatus 10. It is possible to generate a content folder list that is a list of folders, a content list that is a list of contents that can be acquired by the information processing apparatus 10, and the like.

  The server information acquisition unit 105 can transmit these generated lists to the display control unit 111 described later and display the list on a display unit (not shown) of the information processing apparatus 10. Further, the server information acquisition unit 105 may record these generated lists in the storage unit 117 described later.

  Further, when performing these processes, the server information acquisition unit 105 refers to various parameters and databases recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later, and various types of information recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later. May be executed.

  The renderer information acquisition unit 107 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and acquires renderer information related to the renderer device from the renderer device 30 connected via the communication network 3.

  More specifically, the renderer information acquisition unit 107 broadcasts a renderer device discovery protocol on the communication network 3 using a protocol such as SSDP, and acquires renderer identification information from the responding renderer device 30. The renderer identification information includes, for example, identification information such as an IP address assigned to the renderer device 30 and a manufacturer name / device model name of the renderer device 30, and a UUID (Universally Unique IDentifier) assigned to the renderer device 30. ) Etc. may be included as information.

  In addition, the renderer information acquisition unit 107 can also acquire information related to the type of content that can be reproduced by the renderer apparatus 30 from the renderer apparatus 30.

  The renderer information including the renderer identification information acquired by the renderer information acquisition unit 107 is recorded in a renderer information recording area of the storage unit 117, which will be described later, in association with information regarding the time when the renderer information was acquired. This renderer information can be freely referred to by each processing unit included in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  Further, the renderer information acquisition unit 107 can generate a renderer list that is a list of renderer devices to which the information processing apparatus 10 can be connected, based on the acquired renderer identification information and the like.

  The renderer information acquisition unit 107 can transmit the generated list to the display control unit 111 described later and display the list on a display unit (not shown) of the information processing apparatus 10. In addition, the renderer information acquisition unit 107 may record the generated list in the storage unit 117 described later.

  In addition, when performing these processes, the renderer information acquisition unit 107 refers to various parameters and databases recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later, and various types of information recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later. May be executed.

  The renderer control unit 109 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and performs control for causing the renderer device 30 selected by the user of the information processing apparatus 10 to reproduce the content selected by the user.

  More specifically, the renderer control unit 109 transmits reproduction content attribute information regarding the content determined to be reproduced when the renderer device 30 that reproduces the content and the content to be reproduced by the renderer device 30 are determined. The reproduction content attribute information includes, for example, identification information of a server that manages content desired to be reproduced, title, content size, content length, and attribute information such as a URL for accessing the content. Yes. The renderer control unit 109 generates reproduction content attribute information as described above based on server information recorded in the storage unit 117 described later, and based on renderer information recorded in the storage unit 117 described later. The generated reproduction content attribute information is transmitted. The renderer control unit 109 may record the generated reproduction content attribute information in the storage unit 117 described later.

  When the renderer control unit 109 receives a notification that the attribute information has been received from the renderer device 30 that has transmitted the reproduction content attribute information, the renderer control unit 109 transmits a content reproduction request to the renderer device 30. The renderer control unit 109 can also transmit a content reproduction stop request (that is, a content stop request) to the renderer device 30 that is reproducing the content.

  Further, when performing these processes, the renderer control unit 109 refers to various parameters and databases recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later, and various types of records recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later. You may run a program.

  The display control unit 111 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and each processing unit included in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment displays various data, information, and the like (not illustrated). Display control when displaying on). When performing these processes, the display control unit 111 refers to various parameters and databases recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later, and stores various programs recorded in the storage unit 117 and the like described later. It may be executed.

  The error improvement request unit 113 is composed of, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. When error information in which details about errors that have occurred between the renderer device 30 and the content management server 20 are transmitted from the renderer device 30, the error improvement request unit 113 is transmitted from the renderer device 30. Receive error information. The error information includes an error code defined in a protocol (for example, HTTP) used for data communication between the content management server 30 and the renderer device 30, and between the information processing device 10 and the renderer device 30. The error content is described in more detail than an error code defined in a protocol (for example, SOAP) used for data communication.

  Specifically, the contents of the error described are, for example, “The server refused the connection request because there was a connection request from a renderer device that has not been registered,” “Renderer at the server firewall. The details of the error are not defined in the protocol used between the devices, such as “a request transmitted from the device is blocked” or “the DLNA function of the server suddenly stops”.

  The list of error information that may be transmitted from the renderer device 30 is a database format in which an error code (status value) described in the error information and a detailed description of the error correspond one-to-one. Are recorded in advance in a storage unit 117 described later.

  In addition, information (that is, countermeasures) for dealing with each error is also described in this database. An example of such error cause / countermeasure information 119 is shown in Table 1 below.

  The error information (more specifically, status value) as shown in Table 1 is, for example, shown in the header of a protocol (for example, SOAP) used between the information processing apparatus 10 and the renderer apparatus 30 as shown below. Will be added in the form. In addition to the status value, the error information additionally describes a MAC address related to the renderer device 30, a device name of the renderer device 30, and the like.

X-AV-StatusCode = “X-AV-StatusCode” “:” status-value
status-value = 4 DIGIT

  When the error improvement request unit 113 receives the error information transmitted from the renderer device 30, the error improvement request unit 113 refers to the error cause / countermeasure information 119 stored in the storage unit 117 and indicates the error represented by the described status value. Get details.

  When the error improvement request unit 113 grasps the details of the error, the error improvement request unit 113 acquires countermeasure information corresponding to the grasped error from the error cause / countermeasure information 119 and requests the content management server 20 for error improvement processing. . When requesting an error improvement process, the error improvement request unit 113 notifies the content management server 20 of the MAC address and device name of the corresponding renderer device 30, and the content management server 20 can appropriately execute the error improvement process. Like that.

  Such countermeasure information is additionally described in, for example, a header of a protocol (for example, SOAP) used between the information processing apparatus 10 and the content management server 20 in the form shown below. In addition to the status value, the error information additionally describes a MAC address related to the renderer device 30, a device name of the renderer device 30, and the like.

X-AV-RequestCode = “X-AV-RequestCode” “:” status-value
status-value = 4 DIGIT

  The error cause inquiry unit 115 is constituted by, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The error cause inquiring unit 115 receives a notification from the renderer device 30 that an error has occurred between the renderer device 30 and the content management server 20, and includes the error as described above in the received error occurrence notification. When the information is not included, the content management server 20 is inquired about the cause of the error.

  Among renderers that can be connected to the information processing apparatus 10, there may be renderers that cannot transmit error information as described above. Therefore, when only an error notification conforming to the protocol used between the information processing apparatus and the renderer apparatus is transmitted from the renderer apparatus, the error cause inquiry unit 115 causes the error cause to be transmitted to the content management server 20. Inquire about.

  When the content of the error notified to the renderer device is provided from the content management server 20, the error cause inquiry unit 115 refers to the error cause / countermeasure information 119 recorded in the storage unit 117, and the error An improvement request is generated and transmitted to the content management server 20.

  Thus, when error cause / countermeasure information is shared with the renderer device, the error improvement request unit 113 of the information processing device 10 is based on the error information notified from the renderer device 30. Generate an error improvement request. If the renderer apparatus does not have the error cause / measure information as described above, the error cause inquiring unit 115 performs an error cause specifying process with the content management server 20 and specifies the specified error. Generate an error improvement request based on the cause and error cause / response information.

  Thereby, even if it is the renderer apparatus 30 which has the error cause and countermeasure information concerning this embodiment, even if it is a renderer apparatus which does not have error cause and countermeasure information, it concerns on this embodiment. The information processing apparatus 10 can request the content management server 20 to improve an error that has occurred with the renderer apparatus.

  The storage unit 117 stores error cause / countermeasure information 119 in which a detailed description regarding an error that may occur between the content management server and the renderer device and a countermeasure for improving the error are associated with each other. Yes. In addition, the storage unit 117 stores various parameters, intermediate progress of processing, and various databases that need to be saved when the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment performs some processing, as appropriate. It may be recorded. The storage unit 117 includes a communication control unit 101, an operation unit 103, a server information acquisition unit 105, a renderer information acquisition unit 107, a renderer control unit 109, a display control unit 111, an error improvement request unit 113, an error cause inquiry unit 115, and the like. It is possible to read and write freely.

  Heretofore, an example of the function of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has been shown. Each component described above may be configured using a general-purpose member or circuit, or may be configured by hardware specialized for the function of each component. In addition, the CPU or the like may perform all functions of each component. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately change the configuration to be used according to the technical level at the time of carrying out the present embodiment.

<About the configuration of the content management server>
Next, the configuration of the content management server according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the content management server according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the content management server 20 according to the present embodiment includes a communication control unit 201, an operation unit 203, a server identification information providing unit 205, a content information providing unit 207, and an error analysis unit 209. And an error improvement processing unit 211 and a storage unit 213.

  The communication control unit 201 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication device, and the like, and is between the content management server 20 and the information processing device 10 and between the content management server 20 and the renderer device 30. Performs communication control of various data sent and received.

  More specifically, the communication control unit 201 transmits various data and signals to the information processing apparatus 10 and the renderer apparatus 30 in response to a request from each processing unit included in the content management server 20 according to the present embodiment. . Further, the communication control unit 201 receives various data and signals transmitted from the information processing apparatus 10 and the renderer apparatus 30 and transmits them to each processing unit included in the content management server 20 according to the present embodiment.

  Further, the communication control unit 201 can use a storage unit 213 described later as a transmission / reception buffer.

  The operation unit 203 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input device, and the like, and is made for various input switches such as a content selection switch, a playback switch, and a stop switch provided in the content management server 20. The operation is converted into a predetermined signal and transmitted to the corresponding processing unit.

  The server identification information providing unit 205 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and transmits server identification information for identifying the content management server 20 to the information processing apparatus 10. This server identification information is information unique to the content management server 20, for example, an IP address assigned to the content management server 20, a manufacturer name / device model name of the content management server 20, and a content management server 20. Identification information such as the UUID that has been generated. More specifically, the server identification information providing unit 205 uses the server identification information acquired from the storage unit 213, which will be described later, as information in response to the server discovery protocol broadcasted by the information processing apparatus 10 via the communication network 3. It transmits to the processing apparatus 10.

  The content information providing unit 207 is constituted by, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The content information providing unit 207 responds to various information acquisition requests transmitted from the information processing apparatus 10, attribute information regarding the content folder managed by the content management server 20, and content managed by the content management server 20. Attribute information regarding the information processing apparatus 10 is provided. Further, the content information providing unit 207 provides content data corresponding to the content managed by the content management server 20 to the renderer device 30 in response to the content data acquisition request transmitted from the renderer device 30.

  More specifically, the content information providing unit 207 stores the content information in the storage unit 213 to be described later in response to a request for acquiring a list of content folders or a request to acquire a list of content that is broadcast from the information processing apparatus 10. The requested information is provided to the information processing apparatus 10 while referring to the content attribute information 217.

  In addition, the content information providing unit 207 acquires content data designated by the renderer device 30 from the storage unit 213 in response to a content data acquisition request corresponding to the specific content transmitted from the renderer device 30, and renders the renderer. To the device 30.

  The content information providing unit 207 may notify the renderer device 30 of an error notification corresponding to the generated error when an error related to connection or an error related to communication occurs with the renderer device 30. Is possible.

  The error analysis unit 209 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and identifies an error that has occurred in the content management server 20. Further, the error analysis unit 209 refers to error cause / countermeasure information 221 recorded in the storage unit 213 to be described later based on the identified error, and converts the identified error into predetermined error information. The error cause / countermeasure information 221 is the same as the error cause / countermeasure information 119 included in the information processing apparatus 10. In addition, the error analysis unit 209 can transmit the converted error information to other connected devices such as the renderer device 30.

  The error improvement processing unit 211 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. When an error improvement request generated between the content management server and the renderer device is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 10, an error Perform improvement processing. Since the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus already registered in the content management server 20, the content management server 20 determines that the request is from a registered apparatus, and the information processing apparatus 10 The error improvement request sent from is received, and error improvement processing is executed.

  The error improvement processing unit 211 is recorded in the storage unit 213 based on countermeasure information (for example, status value described in RequestCode) described in the error improvement request transmitted from the information processing apparatus 10. Refer to error information and countermeasure information. The error improvement processing unit 211 performs improvement processing for errors that have occurred with the renderer device described in the error improvement request, based on the details described in the referenced countermeasure information.

  The storage unit 213 stores content data 215 related to content managed by the content management server 20 and content attribute information 217. The storage unit 213 also stores server identification information 219 for identifying the content management server 20. Further, the storage unit 213 stores error cause / countermeasure information 221 in which a detailed description regarding an error that may occur between the content management server and the renderer device and a countermeasure for improving the error are associated with each other. Has been.

  In addition, the storage unit 213 stores various parameters, intermediate progress of processing, and various databases that need to be saved when the content management server 20 according to the present embodiment performs some processing, as appropriate, and the like. It may be recorded. The storage unit 213 can be freely read and written by the communication control unit 201, the operation unit 203, the server identification information providing unit 205, the content information providing unit 207, the error analysis unit 209, the error improvement processing unit 211, and the like. is there.

  Heretofore, an example of the function of the content management server 20 according to the present embodiment has been shown. Each component described above may be configured using a general-purpose member or circuit, or may be configured by hardware specialized for the function of each component. In addition, the CPU or the like may perform all functions of each component. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately change the configuration to be used according to the technical level at the time of carrying out the present embodiment.

<About the configuration of the renderer>
Next, the configuration of the renderer apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the renderer according to the present embodiment.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the renderer device 30 according to the present embodiment includes a communication control unit 301, an operation unit 303, a renderer information providing unit 305, a content data acquisition unit 307, a content reproduction unit 309, An error analysis unit 311 and a storage unit 313 are mainly provided.

  The communication control unit 301 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication device, and the like, and is transmitted and received between the renderer device 30 and the content management server 20 and between the renderer device 30 and the information processing device 10. Performs communication control of various data.

  More specifically, the communication control unit 301 receives requests from the processing units included in the renderer device 30 according to the present embodiment, and transmits various data and signals to the information processing device 10 and the content management server 20. . Further, the communication control unit 301 receives various data and signals transmitted from the information processing device 10 and the content management server 20 and transmits them to each processing unit included in the renderer device 30 according to the present embodiment.

  Further, the communication control unit 301 can use a storage unit 313 described later as a transmission / reception buffer.

  The operation unit 303 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input device, and the like, and is made for various input switches such as a content selection switch, a playback switch, and a stop switch provided in the renderer device 30. The operation is converted into a predetermined signal and transmitted to the corresponding processing unit.

  The renderer information providing unit 305 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The renderer information providing unit 305 transmits, to the information processing apparatus 10, renderer information including renderer identification information for identifying the renderer apparatus 30 and attribute information describing the type of content that can be reproduced by the renderer apparatus 30. To do. The renderer identification information is information unique to the renderer device 30, such as an IP address assigned to the renderer device 30, a manufacturer name / device model name of the renderer device 30, a UUID assigned to the renderer device 30, and the like. Contains identification information. More specifically, the renderer information providing unit 305 receives the renderer information acquired from the storage unit 313 (described later) as a response to the renderer device discovery protocol broadcasted by the information processing device 10 via the communication network 3. Send to device 10.

  The content data acquisition unit 307 is configured from, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The content data acquisition unit 307 acquires content data corresponding to the content specified by the reproduction content attribute information from the content management server 20 based on the reproduction content attribute information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 10. The content data acquisition unit 307 transmits the content data acquired from the content management server 20 to the content reproduction unit 309 described later. The content data acquisition unit 307 may store the acquired content data in the storage unit 313 described later.

  The content playback unit 309 performs playback processing of content data transmitted from the content data acquisition unit 307. More specifically, the content reproduction unit 309 decodes the content data transmitted from the content data acquisition unit 307 and performs reproduction processing of the decrypted content data. At this time, the content reproduction unit 309 may perform the content reproduction process while decoding the content data, or may perform the content reproduction process after the decoding of the content data is completed. Note that the content reproduction unit 309 can use data, a database, or the like recorded in a storage unit 113 or the like described later.

  The error analysis unit 311 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The error analysis unit 311 analyzes the malfunction of the renderer device 30 according to the present embodiment and the error notification transmitted from the content management server 20 to identify the content of the malfunction and the error notification. Further, the error analysis unit 311 refers to error cause / countermeasure information 317 recorded in the storage unit 313 described later based on the identified error, and converts the identified error into predetermined error information. The error cause / countermeasure information 317 is the same as the error cause / countermeasure information 119 included in the information processing apparatus 10. Further, the error analysis unit 311 transmits the converted error information to another connected device such as the information processing apparatus 10.

  The storage unit 313 stores renderer information 315 including renderer identification information for identifying the renderer device 30 and attribute information describing the type of content that can be reproduced by the renderer device 30. In addition, the storage unit 313 stores error cause / countermeasure information 317 in which a detailed description regarding an error that may occur between the content management server and the renderer device and a countermeasure for improving the error are associated with each other. Has been.

  In addition, the storage unit 313 appropriately records various parameters, intermediate progress of processing, and various databases that need to be saved when the renderer device 30 according to the present embodiment performs some processing. May be. The storage unit 313 can be freely read and written by the communication control unit 301, the operation unit 303, the renderer information providing unit 305, the content data acquisition unit 307, the content reproduction unit 309, the error analysis unit 311, and the like.

  Heretofore, an example of the function of the renderer device 30 according to the present embodiment has been shown. Each component described above may be configured using a general-purpose member or circuit, or may be configured by hardware specialized for the function of each component. In addition, the CPU or the like may perform all functions of each component. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately change the configuration to be used according to the technical level at the time of carrying out the present embodiment.

<Information processing method and connection management method>
Next, the information processing method performed by the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment and the connection management method performed by the content management server 20 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. explain. 5 to 8 are flowcharts for explaining the information processing method and the connection management method according to this embodiment. 9 to 11 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the information processing method and the connection management method according to the present embodiment.

  First, the information processing apparatus 10 (hereinafter abbreviated as DMC 10) according to the present embodiment detects a content management server 20 (hereinafter abbreviated as DMS 20) connected to the communication network 3 (step S101). . The server information acquisition unit 105 of the DMC 10 broadcasts a server discovery protocol on the communication network 3 via the communication control unit 101. As such a server discovery protocol, for example, SSDP is used.

  The server identification information providing unit 205 of the DMS 20 acquires a server discovery protocol that has flowed on the communication network 3, creates a response packet including server identification information while referring to the storage unit 213, and passes through the communication control unit 201. Then, it is returned to the DMC 10 (step S102).

  Next, the communication control unit 101 of the DMC 10 acquires a response to the server discovery request from the DMS 20, and the server information acquisition unit 105 stores the server identification information of the DMS 20 included in the response in the storage unit 117, and A server list, which is a list related to the DMS 20 with the error, is created (step S103).

  The DMC 10 detects renderers 30A and 30B (hereinafter abbreviated as DMRs 30A and 30B) connected to the communication network 3 (step S104). The renderer information acquisition unit 107 of the DMC 10 broadcasts a renderer device discovery protocol on the communication network 3 via the communication control unit 101.

  The communication control unit 301 of the DMRs 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B acquires the renderer device discovery protocol that has flowed on the communication network 3, and the renderer information providing unit 305 creates a response packet including renderer information while referring to the storage unit 313. The message is returned to the DMC 10 via the communication control unit 301 (steps S105 and S106).

  The renderer information acquisition unit 107 of the DMC 10 acquires a response to the renderer device discovery protocol from the DMRs 30A and 30B, records the renderer information of each DMR included in the response in the storage unit 117, and relates to the DMR that has responded A renderer list that is a list is created (step S107).

  Through the above steps S101 to S107, the DMC 10 is in a state of knowing the existence of the DMS 20, DMR 30A, and 30B connected via the communication network 3.

  In addition, the normal communication between the DMC 10 and the DMS 20 and between the DMC 10 and the DMRs 30A and 30B means that the DMC 10 is a device registered in the DMS 20 and is connected to the DMRs 30A and 30B. It means that the device is registered.

  Note that steps S101 to S107 are processes that are automatically executed when the DMC 10 is powered on, for example.

  At a certain timing, the user of the DMC 10 operates the operation unit 103 to instruct display of a list of video contents on the DMS 20 (step S108). Then, the server information acquisition unit 105 of the DMC 10 transmits a request for acquiring a list of video folders on the DMS 20 to the DMS 20 based on the signal transmitted from the operation unit 103 (step S109). As a request for acquiring this folder list, SOAP is used, and in particular, acquisition of video content attribute information is attempted by a command “CDS: Browse”.

  The communication control unit 201 of the DMS 20 acquires a request for acquiring a video folder list transmitted from the DMC 10. In the DMS 20, there are a large number of video contents, and the video contents are classified and stored in folders. The content information providing unit 207 of the DMS 20 acquires the folder information of the video content managed by the DMS 20 from the content attribute information 217 stored in the storage unit 213, and sends it back to the DMC 10 (step S110).

  The server information acquisition unit 105 of the DMC 10 receives the video folder list acquisition response transmitted from the DMS 20, creates a name of the video folder as a video folder list (step S111), and displays it on a display unit (not shown). indicate. The user of the DMC 10 operates the operation unit 103 while viewing the displayed video folder list, and selects a video folder to be viewed. If there is another folder under the selected video folder, the DMC 10 repeats steps S109 to S111.

  Next, the server information acquisition unit 105 of the DMC 10 generates a request for acquiring a list of video contents on the DMS 20 based on the predetermined signal generated by the operation unit 103, and transmits the request to the DMS 20 (step S112).

  When the content information providing unit 207 of the DMS 20 receives the request for acquiring the video content list transmitted from the DMC 10, the content information providing unit 207 acquires the attribute information 217 of the video content managed by the DMS 20 from the storage unit 213 and sends it back to the DMC 10. (Step S113).

  The server information acquisition unit 105 of the DMC 10 receives the video content list acquisition response transmitted from the DMS 20, creates a title of the video content as a video content list (step S114), and displays it on a display unit (not shown). indicate. The user of the DMC 10 operates the operation unit 103 while viewing the displayed video content list, and selects video content to be viewed. If a large amount of content exists and information on all the contents cannot be acquired at once, the DMC 10 repeats the above steps S112 to S114.

  Thereafter, the user of the DMC 10 operates the operation unit 103 to select video content to be reproduced (step S115).

  Through the above steps S108 to S115, the user of the DMC 10 can determine the video content to be reproduced.

  Next, the renderer information acquisition unit 107 of the DMC 10 displays the manufacturer name, device model name, identification information, and the like of the DMRs 30A and 30B recorded in the renderer identification information on a display unit (not shown) (step S116). Then, the user selects the DMR for reproducing the selected video content (that is, the reproduction destination DMR) (step S117). Here, in step S117, the user operates the operation unit 103 of the DMC 10 to select one of the two DMRs 30A and 30B. In the following description, it is assumed that DMR 30A is selected.

  Subsequently, the renderer control unit 109 of the DMC 10 acquires attribute information corresponding to the video content that has been determined to be played back, and sets it as playback content attribute information. At this time, the renderer control unit 109 of the DMC 10 adds the identification information of the server that manages the video content that has been determined to be played back to the playback content attribute information. Further, the renderer control unit 109 of the DMC 10 notifies the generated reproduction content attribute information to the DMR 30A (step S118). This reproduction content attribute information is performed using a command “AVT: SetAVTransportURI”. The information notified to the DMR 30A includes, for example, attribute information such as identification information of a server that manages the playback video content, a title, a content size, a content length, and a URL for accessing the content.

  The content data acquisition unit 307 of the DMR 30A receives the video content attribute information transmitted from the DMC 10 and stores the video content attribute information including the server identification information and the server identification information in the storage unit 313. (Step S119), the DMC 10 is notified that the attribute information has been received.

  The renderer control unit 109 of the DMC 10 requests the DMR 30A to start playing the selected video content (step S120). This reproduction request is made using a command “AVT: Play”.

  When the content data acquisition unit 307 of the DMR 30A receives the playback request for the video content transmitted from the DMC 10, the content data acquisition unit 307 acquires the access URL of the content by referring to the attribute information of the content, accesses the acquired URL, and stores the content data An acquisition request is transmitted (step S121).

  When the content information providing unit 207 of the DMS 20 receives the content data acquisition request transmitted from the DMR 30A, the content information providing unit 207 refers to the content attribute information 217 and returns the content data 215 corresponding to the URL to the DMR 30A (step S122). ).

  When the content data acquisition unit 307 of the DMR 30A receives the content data transmitted from the DMS 20, the content data acquisition unit 307 transmits the received content data to the content reproduction unit 309. The content playback unit 309 decodes the acquired content data and displays it on the display unit (not shown) (step S123).

  As described above, steps S116 to S123 are processing for displaying the video content decided to be reproduced on the DMR 30A.

  Here, it is assumed that during video playback, the user turns off the power of the DMC 10 (step S124), and data such as video attribute information, server identification information, renderer identification information, and playback content attribute information is lost.

  In this situation, consider a case where the user of the DMC 10 turns on the DMC 10 again (step S125).

  At this time, the DMC 10 repeats the same processing as in steps S101 to S107, detects the DMS 20 and detects the DMRs 30A and 30B (step S126), and re-acquires the server identification information and the renderer identification information.

  Next, consider a case in which the user of the DMC 1007 designates the content to be viewed next from the list-displayed content at a certain timing.

  Next, as in step S116, the DMC 10 displays a list of DMRs that can be selected as playback destinations on a display unit (not shown), and asks the user to select a playback destination DMR. Accordingly, the user operates the operation unit 103 of the DMC 10 to select either the DMR 30A or the DMR 30B. In the following description, it is assumed that DMR-B is selected by the user.

  The renderer control unit 109 of the DMC 10 acquires attribute information corresponding to the video content that has been determined to be played back, and sets it as playback content attribute information. At this time, the renderer control unit 109 of the DMC 10 adds the identification information of the server that manages the video content that has been determined to be played back to the playback content attribute information. Further, the renderer control unit 109 of the DMC 10 notifies the generated reproduction content attribute information to the DMR 30B (step S127). This reproduction content attribute information is performed using a command “AVT: SetAVTransportURI”. The information notified to the DMR 30B includes, for example, attribute information such as identification information of a server that manages the playback video content, title, content size, content length, and URL for accessing the content.

  The content data acquisition unit 307 of the DMR 30B receives the video content attribute information transmitted from the DMC 10, and stores the video content attribute information including the server identification information and the server identification information in the storage unit 313. (Step S128), the DMC 10 is notified that the attribute information has been received.

  The renderer control unit 109 of the DMC 10 requests the DMR 30B to start playback of the selected video content (step S129). This reproduction request is made using a command “AVT: Play”.

  When the content data acquisition unit 307 of the DMR 30B receives the playback request for the video content transmitted from the DMC 10, the content data acquisition unit 307 acquires the access URL of the content with reference to the playback content attribute information, accesses the acquired URL, and stores the content data An acquisition request is transmitted (step S130).

  Here, a case where the DMR 30B is not registered in the DMS 20 is considered. In this case, the content information providing unit 207 of the DMS 20 cannot provide the content data because the DMR 30B is not registered, and an error occurs. Then, the error analysis unit 209 of the DMS 20 analyzes the cause of the error and specifies that the DMR 30B is not registered. The error analysis unit 209 notifies the DMR 30B that an error has occurred, thereby notifying content data transmission rejection (step S131).

  Since the communication between the DMS 20 and the DMR 30B is performed by HTTP, the error notification includes an HTTP error code (for example, error code 403) indicating that “device registration has not been performed”.

  The error analysis unit 311 of the DMR 30B analyzes the error notification transmitted from the DMS 20, and can determine from the HTTP error code 403 that the cause is “device not registered”. Here, the DMR and the DMC exchange information using SOAP, but the SOAP error code and the HTTP error code do not have a one-to-one correspondence. I can't tell you that it's caused by not being done.

  Therefore, the error analysis unit 311 of the DMR 30B refers to the error cause / countermeasure information 317 stored in the storage unit 313, and indicates a status value (error code) indicating that the renderer device is not registered in the server. Search for. If the corresponding error code exists, the error analysis unit 311 of the DMR 30B expands the SOAP header, additionally describes the error code obtained as a result of the search, and notifies the DMC 10 as error information (step S132). ). More specifically, a SOAP error code 501 representing a general SOAP error is notified, and “X-AV-StatusCode” is additionally described in the SOAP header, and detailed error contents are notified to the DMC 10.

  When the renderer control unit 109 of the DMC 10 receives the error information from the DMR 30B (step S133), the renderer control unit 109 transmits the received error information to the error improvement request unit 113. The error improvement request unit 113 refers to the error cause / countermeasure information 119 recorded in the storage unit 117 based on the error code (status value) described in the received error information, and the DMR 30B sends the DMS 30 to the DMS 20. It can be identified that the cause is that the device is not registered.

  When the cause of the error is specified, the error improvement requesting unit 113 requests the display control unit 111 to display a screen as shown in FIG. 9, for example, and waits for an input from the user. When the user inputs to execute the error improvement process, the error improvement request unit 113 executes the following process.

  The error improvement request unit 113 of the DMC 10 extends the SOAP header and transmits an error improvement request to the DMS 20 (step S134). Since the DMC 10 is a device registered in the DMS 20, the DMS 20 can follow the error improvement request transmitted from the DMC 10. More specifically, the error improvement request unit 113 additionally describes “X-AV-RequestCode” in the SOAP header and notifies the DMS 20 of the error improvement request.

  The error improvement processing unit 211 of the DMS 20 refers to the error cause / countermeasure information 221 stored in the storage unit 213 based on the request code included in the received error improvement request, and the renderer specified in the error improvement request The device (DMR 30B) is registered as a device (step S135). When the error improvement processing is completed, the error improvement processing unit 211 of the DMS 20 transmits an error improvement processing completion notification to the DMC 10 (step S136).

  When receiving the error improvement process completion notification, the error improvement request unit 113 of the DMC 10 notifies the renderer control unit 109 that the error improvement process has been completed. Then, the renderer control unit 109 transmits a reproduction request again to the DMR 30B (step S138).

  When the content data acquisition unit 307 of the DMR 30B receives the playback request for the video content transmitted from the DMC 10, the content data acquisition unit 307 acquires the access URL of the content with reference to the playback content attribute information, accesses the acquired URL, and stores the content data An acquisition request is transmitted (step S139).

  At this time, since the DMR 30B is registered in the DMS 20 based on the error improvement request from the DMC 10, the content information providing unit 207 of the DMS 20 returns the content data 215 corresponding to the URL to the DMR 30B (step S140).

  When the content data acquisition unit 307 of the DMR 30B receives the content data transmitted from the DMS 20, the content data acquisition unit 307 transmits the received content data to the content reproduction unit 309. The content reproduction unit 309 decodes the acquired content data and displays it on a display unit (not shown) (step S141).

  As described above, according to the information processing method and the connection management method according to the present embodiment, it is possible to try to solve and improve an error from the DMC with respect to an error occurring between the DMS and the DMR.

  Next, a case where the renderer apparatus does not include the error cause / countermeasure information according to the present embodiment and detailed error information cannot be transmitted to the information processing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. . In the following description, it is assumed that the DMR 30A does not implement error cause / countermeasure information.

  Note that steps S127 to S130 illustrated in FIG. 8 are the same as those illustrated in FIG.

  Here, consider a case where the DMR 30A is not registered in the DMS 20 in the case shown in FIG. In this case, the content information providing unit 207 of the DMS 20 cannot provide the content data because the DMR 30A is not registered, and an error occurs. Then, the error analysis unit 209 of the DMS 20 analyzes the cause of the error and specifies that the DMR 30A is not registered. The error analysis unit 209 notifies the DMR 30A that an error has occurred, thereby notifying content data transmission rejection (step S131).

  Since the communication between the DMS 20 and the DMR 30B is performed by HTTP, the error notification includes an HTTP error code (for example, error code 403) indicating that “device registration has not been performed”.

  In the DMR 30A in this description, error cause / countermeasure information is not implemented, and therefore detailed error information cannot be transmitted to the DMC 10. Therefore, the DMR 30A only notifies the DMC 10 of a SOAP error code 501 representing a general SOAP error.

  When the renderer control unit 109 of the DMC 10 receives the error information from the DMR 30B (step S133), the renderer control unit 109 transmits the received error information to the error improvement request unit 113. The error improvement request unit 113 determines that the extended part does not exist in the received error information, and transmits the transmitted error information to the error cause inquiry unit 115.

  Next, the error cause inquiry unit 115 notifies the DMS 20 of information for specifying the renderer device 30B, and makes a detailed error cause inquiry to the DMS 20 (step S142). The error analysis unit 209 of the DMS 20 that has received the inquiry identifies the cause of the error that has occurred with the DMR 30A while referring to the MAC address of the DMR 30A notified from the DMC 10, the log information stored in the DMS 20, and the like. To do. As a result, since the cause of the error is that the DMR 30A is not registered, the error analysis unit 209 refers to the error cause / countermeasure information 221 and provides detailed information on the DMC 10. Error information is notified (step S143).

  When the cause of the error is specified, the error improvement requesting unit 113 requests the display control unit 111 to display a screen as shown in FIG. 9, for example, and waits for an input from the user. When the user inputs to execute the error improvement process, the error improvement request unit 113 executes the following process.

  The error improvement request unit 113 of the DMC 10 expands the SOAP header and transmits an error improvement request to the DMS 20 (step S144). Since the DMC 10 is a device registered in the DMS 20, the DMS 20 can follow the error improvement request transmitted from the DMC 10. More specifically, the error improvement request unit 113 additionally describes “X-AV-RequestCode” in the SOAP header and notifies the DMS 20 of the error improvement request.

  The error improvement processing unit 211 of the DMS 20 refers to the error cause / countermeasure information 221 stored in the storage unit 213 based on the request code included in the received error improvement request, and the renderer specified in the error improvement request The device (DMR 30A) is registered as a device (step S145). When the error improvement processing is completed, the error improvement processing unit 211 of the DMS 20 transmits an error improvement processing completion notification to the DMC 10 (step S146).

  When receiving the error improvement process completion notification (step S147), the error improvement request unit 113 of the DMC 10 notifies the renderer control unit 109 that the error improvement process has been completed. Then, the renderer control unit 109 transmits a reproduction request again to the DMR 30A (step S148).

  When the content data acquisition unit 307 of the DMR 30A receives the playback request of the video content transmitted from the DMC 10, the content data acquisition unit 307 acquires the access URL of the content with reference to the playback content attribute information, accesses the acquired URL, and stores the content data An acquisition request is transmitted (step S149).

  At this time, since the DMR 30A is registered in the DMS 20 on the basis of the error improvement request from the DMC 10, the content information providing unit 207 of the DMS 20 returns the content data 215 corresponding to the URL to the DMR 30A (step). S150).

  When the content data acquisition unit 307 of the DMR 30A receives the content data transmitted from the DMS 20, the content data acquisition unit 307 transmits the received content data to the content reproduction unit 309. The content reproduction unit 309 decodes the acquired content data and displays it on a display unit (not shown) (step S151).

  As described above, according to the information processing method and the connection management method according to the present embodiment, even a renderer device that does not implement the error cause / countermeasure information according to the present embodiment has occurred between the DMS and the DMR. It becomes possible to try to solve and improve the error from the DMC.

  The flow of the information processing method and the connection management method according to the present embodiment as described above is summarized as shown in FIGS. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram when the renderer device 30 is mounted with the error cause / countermeasure information according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the error cause / countermeasure according to the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing when information is not mounted.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the information processing apparatus 10 that functions as a DMC identifies content that the renderer apparatus 30 that functions as a DMR wants to reproduce, the information processing apparatus 10 transmits reproduction content attribute information D1 to the renderer apparatus 30 (step S201). . The renderer device 30 transmits a content data acquisition request D2 to the content management server 20 based on the content location information described in the reproduction content attribute information D1 (step S203).

  When the content management server 20 functioning as the DMS cannot transmit content data to the renderer device 30 for any reason, the content management server 20 sends an error notification D3 defined by the protocol used with the renderer device to the renderer device 30. (Step S205). The renderer device 30 that has received the error notification analyzes the received error notification D3 while referring to the error cause / countermeasure information to identify the detailed error cause. Next, the renderer device 30 expands the header of the protocol used between the information processing device 10 and additionally describes an error code corresponding to the cause of the detailed error, and the information processing device as error information D4. 10 (step S207).

  The information processing apparatus 10 that has received the error information specifies the detailed cause of the error based on the error information described in the protocol header and the error cause / countermeasure information. An error improvement request D5 is transmitted (step S209).

  As a result, the content management server 20 can perform an improvement process for errors that have occurred with the renderer device 30.

  Even if the renderer apparatus does not implement the error cause / countermeasure information according to the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 10 requests error improvement processing in the procedure as shown in FIG. Is possible.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 11, when the information processing apparatus 10 functioning as a DMC specifies content to be reproduced by a renderer functioning as a DMR, the reproduction content attribute information D1 is transmitted to the renderer apparatus 30 (step S301). ). The renderer device transmits a content data acquisition request D2 to the content management server 20 based on the content location information described in the reproduction content attribute information D1 (step S303).

  When the content management server 20 functioning as the DMS cannot transmit content data to the renderer device for some reason, the content management server 20 transmits an error notification D3 defined by the protocol used with the renderer device to the renderer device. (Step S305). The renderer apparatus that has received the error notification identifies a general error code defined by the protocol used with the information processing apparatus 10 based on the received error notification D3, and this general error code Is sent to the information processing apparatus 10 (step S307).

  When receiving the general error notification D6 from the renderer, the information processing apparatus 10 makes an error cause inquiry D7 to the content management server 20 (step S309). The content management server 20 identifies the cause of the detailed error based on the MAC address of the renderer device notified from the information processing device 10, the log information recorded in the content management server 20, and the like. Is transmitted as error information (D8) (step S311).

  The information processing apparatus 10 that has received the error information specifies the detailed cause of the error based on the error information described in the protocol header and the error cause / countermeasure information. An error improvement request D9 is transmitted (step S313).

  As a result, the content management server 20 can perform an improvement process for errors that have occurred with a general renderer.

  The information processing method and connection management method according to the present embodiment have been described above. In the above description, the case where the problem “the renderer device is not registered in the server” occurs between the server and the renderer device. However, the problem that can be solved by the method according to the present embodiment is described above. It is not necessarily limited to the example. For example, the information processing apparatus 10 requests the content management server 20 to improve the “activate the content holding machine that manages the content” request, the “unblock firewall from the renderer device” request, etc. It is possible to send.

<About hardware configuration>
Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention.

  The information processing apparatus 10 mainly includes a CPU 901, a ROM 903, a RAM 905, a host bus 907, a bridge 909, an external bus 911, an interface 913, an input device 915, an output device 917, and a storage device 919. , A drive 921, a connection port 923, and a communication device 925.

  The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls all or a part of the operation in the information processing apparatus 10 according to various programs recorded in the ROM 903, the RAM 905, the storage device 919, or the removable recording medium 927. The ROM 903 stores programs used by the CPU 901, calculation parameters, and the like. The RAM 905 primarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 901, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. These are connected to each other by a host bus 907 constituted by an internal bus such as a CPU bus.

  The host bus 907 is connected to an external bus 911 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus via a bridge 909.

  The input device 915 is an operation unit operated by the user, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, and a lever. Further, the input device 915 may be, for example, remote control means (so-called remote controller) using infrared rays or other radio waves, or an external connection device such as a mobile phone or a PDA corresponding to the operation of the information processing device 10. 929 may be used. Furthermore, the input device 915 includes an input control circuit that generates an input signal based on information input by a user using the above-described operation means and outputs the input signal to the CPU 901, for example. The user of the information processing apparatus 10 can input various data and instruct a processing operation to the information processing apparatus 10 by operating the input device 915.

  The output device 917 is, for example, a display device such as a CRT display device, a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display device, an EL display device and a lamp, a sound output device such as a speaker and headphones, a printer device, a mobile phone, a facsimile, etc. It is comprised with the apparatus which can notify the information which carried out visually or audibly to a user. For example, the output device 917 outputs results obtained by various processes performed by the information processing apparatus 10. Specifically, the display device displays results obtained by various processes performed by the information processing device 10 as text or images. On the other hand, the audio output device converts an audio signal composed of reproduced audio data, acoustic data, and the like into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal.

  The storage device 919 is a data storage device configured as an example of a storage unit of the information processing device 10. For example, a magnetic storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, or It is composed of a magneto-optical storage device or the like. The storage device 919 stores programs executed by the CPU 901 and various data, and acoustic signal data and image signal data acquired from the outside.

  The drive 921 is a recording medium reader / writer, and is built in or externally attached to the information processing apparatus 10. The drive 921 reads information recorded on a removable recording medium 927 such as a mounted magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory, and outputs the information to the RAM 905. In addition, the drive 921 can write a record on a removable recording medium 927 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. The removable recording medium 927 is, for example, a DVD medium, an HD-DVD medium, a Blu-ray medium, a CompactFlash (registered trademark) (CompactFlash: CF), a memory stick, or an SD memory card (Secure Digital memory card). Further, the removable recording medium 927 may be, for example, an IC card (Integrated Circuit card) on which a non-contact IC chip is mounted, an electronic device, or the like.

  The connection port 923 includes, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, i. A port for directly connecting a device such as an IEEE 1394 port such as Link, a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) port, an RS-232C port, an optical audio terminal, an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port, or the like to the information processing apparatus 10 is there. By connecting the external connection device 929 to the connection port 923, the information processing apparatus 10 directly acquires acoustic signal data and image signal data from the external connection device 929, or acquires acoustic signal data and image signals from the external connection device 929. Or provide data.

  The communication device 925 is a communication interface including a communication device for connecting to the communication network 931, for example. The communication device 925 is, for example, a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth, or WUSB (Wireless USB) communication card, an optical communication router, an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) router, or various types. It is a modem for communication. The communication device 925 can transmit and receive signals and the like according to a predetermined protocol such as TCP / IP, for example, with the Internet or other communication devices. The communication network 931 connected to the communication device 925 is configured by a wired or wireless network, and may be, for example, the Internet, a home LAN, infrared communication, radio wave communication, satellite communication, or the like. .

  Heretofore, an example of the hardware configuration capable of realizing the function of the information processing apparatus 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention has been shown. Each component described above may be configured using a general-purpose member, or may be configured by hardware specialized for the function of each component. Therefore, the hardware configuration to be used can be changed as appropriate according to the technical level at the time of carrying out the present embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention can be provided as a program having the following functions. That is, this program obtains server identification information for identifying the content management server and server information including a list of the content data from the content management server that manages the content data corresponding to the content and the attribute information of the content data. A server information acquisition function to acquire, and a renderer information acquisition function to acquire renderer information including renderer identification information for identifying the renderer device from a renderer device that acquires and reproduces the content data from the content management server A renderer that identifies the renderer device that reproduces the content data selected from the list of content data, and requests the identified renderer device to acquire and reproduce the selected content data. The details of the error that occurred between the content management server and the specified renderer device when an error occurred when the control function and the specified renderer device acquired the selected content data from the content management server Error notification that requests the content management server to improve an error that has occurred with the specified renderer device when the specified renderer device is notified of error information that describes This is a program for causing a computer to realize the required function.

  According to this configuration, the computer program is stored in the storage unit included in the computer, and is read and executed by the CPU included in the computer, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing apparatus. A computer-readable recording medium in which a computer program is recorded can also be provided. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or the like. Further, the above computer program may be distributed via a network, for example, without using a recording medium.

  The content management server 20 according to each embodiment of the present invention can be provided as a program having the following functions. That is, this program corresponds to content attribute information related to the managed content or the content with respect to the information processing device connected to the outside and the renderer device specified as the content playback device by the information processing device. A content information providing function for providing content information including at least one of content data and a connection error between the renderer device and the renderer device transmitted from the information processing device when an error relating to the connection occurs This is a program for causing a computer to realize an error improvement processing function for receiving an error improvement request generated in the meantime and performing an error improvement process with respect to the renderer device.

  According to such a configuration, the computer program is stored in the storage unit included in the computer, and is read and executed by the CPU included in the computer, thereby causing the computer to function as the content management server. A computer-readable recording medium in which a computer program is recorded can also be provided. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or the like. Further, the above computer program may be distributed via a network, for example, without using a recording medium.

<Summary>
As described above, in the information processing system according to each embodiment of the present invention, the information processing apparatus 10 knows detailed information on the cause of the error with respect to the connection problem that has occurred between the content management server and the renderer apparatus. It becomes possible. At the same time, the information processing apparatus 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention can make a connection problem solution request to the content management server.

  Further, even in a general renderer apparatus in which the error cause / countermeasure information according to each embodiment of the present invention is not implemented, the information processing apparatus 10 and the content management server according to each embodiment of the present invention By transmitting and receiving the details of the error cause, it is possible to estimate and solve the connection problem.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this example. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the content is video content (video content) has been described as an example. However, the type of content is not limited to video, and the same applies to content such as music / photos. Can be processed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the DMS owns the content itself. However, the DMS is a server that manages only the content attribute information of other servers without holding the content. There may be.

  Further, although the DMR has been described on the assumption that the content is displayed by itself, the DMR may be a DMR having a function of subcontracting reproduction to another DMR without reproducing the content by itself.

  Further, although the case where the DMS notifies the DMR that an error has occurred has been described, depending on the type of error, the DMS may not notify the DMR of an error. At this time, for example, an error generated between the DMR and the DMS may be analyzed based on a situation in the DMR such as “response timed out”.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the information processing system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on the embodiment. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the content management server which concerns on the embodiment. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the renderer apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an information processing method and a connection management method according to the embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an information processing method and a connection management method according to the embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an information processing method and a connection management method according to the embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an information processing method and a connection management method according to the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the information processing method and connection management method which concern on the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the information processing method and connection management method which concern on the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the information processing method and connection management method which concern on the embodiment. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus which concerns on each embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the sharing method and reproduction | regeneration method of a content on a home network. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the sharing method and reproduction | regeneration method of a content on a home network. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the sharing method and reproduction | regeneration method of a content on a home network. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the sharing method and reproduction | regeneration method of a content on a home network. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the sharing method and reproduction | regeneration method of a content on a home network.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing system 10 Information processing apparatus 20 Content management server 30 Renderer apparatus 101,201,301 Communication control part 103,203,303 Operation part 105 Server information acquisition part 107 Renderer information acquisition part 109 Renderer control part 111 Display control part 113 Error Improvement request part 115 Error cause inquiry part 117,213,313 Storage part 119,221,317 Error cause / countermeasure information 205 Server identification information provision part 207 Content information provision part 209,311 Error analysis part 211 Error improvement processing part 305 Renderer Information providing unit 307 Content data acquiring unit 309 Content reproducing unit

Claims (11)

Server information acquisition for acquiring server identification information for identifying the content management server and server information including a list of the content data from a content management server that manages content data corresponding to the content and attribute information of the content data And
A renderer information acquisition unit that acquires renderer information including renderer identification information for identifying the renderer device, from a renderer device that acquires and reproduces the content data from the content management server;
A renderer control unit that identifies the renderer device that reproduces the content data selected from the list of content data, and requests the specified renderer device to acquire and reproduce the selected content data;
An error occurs when the specified renderer device acquires the selected content data from the content management server, and details of the error that occurred between the content management server and the specified renderer device are described. An error improvement requesting unit that requests the content management server to improve an error occurring with the specified renderer device when the specified error information is notified from the specified renderer device; ,
An information processing apparatus comprising: A storage unit storing error cause / countermeasure information in which a detailed description of an error that may occur between the content management server and the renderer device and a countermeasure for the error are recorded;
The error improvement request unit refers to the error cause / countermeasure information, specifies the detailed content of the error notification described in the error information, and improves the error to the content management server. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus requests.   An error occurs when the specified renderer device acquires the selected content data from the content management server, and an error code defined by a protocol used for communication with the renderer device is notified from the renderer device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an error inquiry unit that inquires the content management server about a cause of an error that has occurred with the specified renderer apparatus.   When the error management unit is notified of error information describing a detailed cause of an error that has occurred between the content management server and the specified renderer device, the content management server The error information described in the error information is described with reference to error cause / countermeasure information in which a detailed description of an error that may occur between the management server and the renderer device and a countermeasure for the error are described. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein detailed information of an error notification is specified, and the content management server is requested to improve the error improvement. At least one of content attribute information related to managed content and content data corresponding to the content with respect to an externally connected information processing device and a renderer device specified as a content playback device by the information processing device A content information providing unit that provides content information including one;
When an error related to the connection with the renderer device occurs, the request for improving the error generated with the renderer device transmitted from the information processing device is received, and the connection with the renderer device is received. An error improvement processing unit that performs improvement processing of errors that occurred in
A content management server comprising: A storage unit storing error cause / countermeasure information in which a detailed description of an error that may occur between the content management server and the renderer device and a countermeasure for the error are recorded;
The said error improvement process part identifies the countermeasure with respect to the said error described in the said error improvement request | requirement with reference to the said error cause and countermeasure information, The error improvement process is performed. Content management server.   When receiving an inquiry request sent from the information processing apparatus to inquire about the details of the error that has occurred with the renderer apparatus, the details of the error that has occurred with the renderer apparatus are analyzed and analyzed. The content management server according to claim 5, further comprising an error analysis unit that notifies a result to the information processing apparatus. The inquiry request includes information on the MAC address assigned to the renderer device in which the error has occurred,
The content management server according to claim 7, wherein the error analysis unit analyzes details of the error that has occurred with the renderer device based on information about the MAC address. Server information acquisition for acquiring server identification information for identifying the content management server and server information including a list of the content data from a content management server that manages content data corresponding to the content and attribute information of the content data Steps,
A renderer information acquisition step for acquiring renderer information including renderer identification information for identifying the renderer device, from a renderer device that acquires and reproduces the content data from the content management server;
A renderer control step of specifying the renderer device that reproduces the content data selected from the list of content data, and requesting the acquisition and playback of the selected content data to the specified renderer device;
An error occurs when the specified renderer device acquires the selected content data from the content management server, and details of the error that occurred between the content management server and the specified renderer device are described. An error improvement requesting step for requesting the content management server to improve an error occurring with the specified renderer device when the specified error information is notified from the specified renderer device; ,
Including an information processing method. A content information providing step of providing content information including at least content attribute information on the managed content to an information processing apparatus connected to the outside;
A content information providing step of providing content information including at least content data corresponding to the managed content to a renderer device specified as a content playback device by the information processing device;
When an error related to the connection with the renderer device occurs, the request for improving the error generated with the renderer device transmitted from the information processing device is received, and the connection with the renderer device is received. Error improvement processing step for improving the error that occurred in
Connection management method. Server information acquisition for acquiring server identification information for identifying the content management server and server information including a list of the content data from a content management server that manages content data corresponding to the content and attribute information of the content data And
A renderer information acquisition unit that acquires renderer information including renderer identification information for identifying the renderer device, from a renderer device that acquires and reproduces the content data from the content management server;
A renderer control unit that identifies the renderer device that reproduces the content data selected from the list of content data, and requests the specified renderer device to acquire and reproduce the selected content data;
An error occurs when the specified renderer device acquires the selected content data from the content management server, and details of the error that occurred between the content management server and the specified renderer device are described. An error improvement requesting unit that requests the content management server to improve an error occurring with the specified renderer device when the specified error information is notified from the specified renderer device; ,
An information processing apparatus comprising:
A content information providing unit that provides the information processing device and the renderer device with content information including at least one of attribute information of content related to the managed content or content data corresponding to the content;
When an error related to the connection with the renderer device occurs, the request for improving the error generated with the renderer device transmitted from the information processing device is received, and the connection with the renderer device is received. An error improvement processing unit that performs improvement processing of errors that occurred in
A content management server comprising:
When the content data corresponding to the content specified by the information processing apparatus is acquired from the content management server and played back, and an error occurs with the content management server when acquiring the content data A renderer device that transmits error information describing details of the error that has occurred to the information processing device;
Including an information processing system.

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